Window structure



June 11, 1957 E. T. HEHR r-.TAL

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United States Patent O WNDOW STRUCTURE Elmer T. Hehr, Pasadena, Ephraim P. Fey, Glendale, and James P. Roth, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Hehr Manufacturing Company, a corporation of California Application September 28, 1953, Serial No. 382,624

4 Claims. (Cl. 20-53) This invention relates generally to window constructions and more particularly to a window sash and supporting frame therefor. Specilically, the invention pertains to a window structure embodying a novel means for sealing the space normally present between the window sash and the frame which surrounds the same;

The present invention is concerned primarily with a window of the type having a frame member installed in the Window opening of a building, house trailer or other structure used for living quarters, oices, etc., and a windowrsash member disposed in the frame and movable relative thereto to open and close the window, said sash member being, for example, hinged to the frame member.

While window structures of this general character are widely used, the problem of sealing the window sash member against wind, rain and other adverse weather conditions has been perplexing. Various types of seals have been proposed but each possesses undesirable features. For example, a common form of seal involves simply a strip of resilient material cemented or otherwise bonded against the outer side of the window frame member or against the inner side of the sash member. Such a seal, while compressible, interferes with the proper closing of the window sash member and considerable force is necessary to draw the sash member toits fully closed position. Moreover, such a conventional seal has the dis,- advantage of causing the sash member to protrude outwardly beyond the plane of the frame member so that the edges of the sash member are exposed to the wind and rain an'd thus deflect the same against the seal to hasten deterioration thereof.

Another proposed seal consists of a resilient strip 1ocated within the frame member and against which the sash member engages when in closed position. This seal also impairs closing of the window and has the further disadvantage of leaving the outer edge portions of the sash member exposed to the elements.

It is an object of our invention to provide a window structure of the type having a Window frame installable in a Window opening and a window sash member movably mounted on the frame, for example hinged thereto, for movement between open and closed positions, the construction being such that when the sash member is' in its closed position the outside or Weather side surfaces of the frame and sash members are coplanar, that is, ush, to provide a smooth unbroken surface and thus enhance the appearance of the window and decrease the force of the wind on the seal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window structure, of the class referred to, which includes a iirst sealing means for ysealing the space between the perimetricai edge portions at the outer side of the frame member and the outer side of the building, this sealing neua-n-s-'consisting of a resilient strip of substantially channel-shaped cross section having an inturned lip on one of its sides which overlies an outwardly directed ange or bead provided at the edge of the frame member to interlock therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window structure of the type indicated which includes a secondv sealing means operative to seal between the frame member and sash member when the latter is closed, the second sealing means consisting of a resilient weatherstrip element of tubular cross section mounted on the frame member and surrounding the window opening thereof, and compressing means on the sash member engageable with and adapted to compress and deform the weatherstrip element in a manner such that a positive leak-proof seal is effected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window structure, of the character referred to, in which the tubular sealing element is installed in a recess or groove formed in the outer weather side of the frame member and arranged concentrically of the window opening, the edges of the groove having beads overlying the bottom of the groove to retain the tubular sealing element in place, said element being snapped into place in the groove and being readily removable, when desired, by simply prying it from the groove.

A further object of the invention is to provide a window structure, of the class specified, in which the sash member has a rearwardly projecting tongue extending around its perimeter and adapted to enter the recess or groove of the frame member to engage and compress the tubular sealing element between sai-d tongue and the bottom of the groove whereby to effect a positive sealing action therebetween. As a particular feature and another important object of the invention, the length of the sealing tongue and the depth of the groove are so proportioned that when the sash member is in its closed position, the outer surfaces of the frame and sash members are arranged flush, that is, coplanar to minimize the force of Wind, rain, etc., against the seal.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a window structure of a simple, yet highly eicient and practical nature, one which is economical lto produce and install, and one which is positively weatherproof, the sealing means effectively guarding against entrance of air or water into the building through the clearance space existing between the sash and frame members.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and from the drawing, which is intended for the purpose of illustration only, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the improved window structure, as observed from the outer or weather side thereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view through a portion of the window structure, taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l, with the window sash member shown in its closed and sealed position; and

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the sash member opened relative to the frame member.

Referring to the drawing, the present, improved window is adapted for installation within the rectangular window opening 5 of a building structure wall 6. The window structure includes two main elements, namely, a rectangular frame member 1) and a rectangular sash member 11 hingedly connected to the frame member.

The frame member or back frame" 10 has a bottom section 12, a top section 13 and side sections 14 and 15, the ends of the several sections being mitered together at the corners of the member. As shown, the parts of the back frame are formed as metal extensions, preferably aluminum alloy, each being of substantially Z crosssection. Since the sections 12 to 15 of the back frame are alike,r only the bottom section 12, shown in Figs. 2 and 3', will be described in detail.

As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the frame section 12 has', at the bottom ot' the window, a horizontal web or sill portion 18, an upwardly projecting inner portion or ange 19 and a downwardly projecting outer portion or flange 20. When the frame `is installed in the window opening 5, the intermediate portions 18 of its sections t closely in the opening. However, in order to enhance the appearance of the windowwithin the building, a metal trim strip or garnish element 22 of langular cross-section i's` employed, the strip having a portion ,Y 23 disposed between the sill portion 18` of the frame section and the opening 5. The inner portion 19 of the back frame Section has a channel-shaped upper end 24 lwhich is employed for the purpose of mounting an insect scrcen (not shown).

The forward, 'downwardly projecting portion 2t) of the frame member section 12 `includes a vertical web 28 which extends downwardly from the intermediate sill portion 18.` The lower end of the web 28 is extended forwardly in a ledge 29.V At the upper end of the web 28the sill portion 18 is extended laterally forward to provide a flange 30. Theweb 28, upper flange 30, and lower ledge 29 together form a channel defining a recess or groove 31. lt is to be noted-y that inwardly directed lips 32 and 33 are provided at the forward ends of the flange 30 and ledge 29, these lips overlying to a slight extent the bottom 28 of the groove 31 and having inner sloping surfaces. The lips 32 and 33 thus form a reduced opening at the outer end of the groove 31.

From the ledge 29, the metal extends downwardly in a facing portion 36 `and then;rearwardly to provide a horizontal flange or n 37 having a bead 38 at its end. A compressible sealing element or strip 40 of substantially channel-shaped cross-section is disposed against the outer, weather side of the building structure 6 and receives the `bead end 38 of the flange 37. As shown, the sealing element 40 has a small n or `tongue 41 which overlies the bead 38 to completely enclose the end of the flange 37. With the back frame 10 installed within the window openingS as shown in the drawing, the sealing` element 40 serves to effectively seal the frame structure against entrance of wind, rain, etc. into the building around the perimeter of the back frame, that is, between. the back frame and the window opening 5. The sealing element 40 is in the form of a rectangular ring extending around the entire perimeter of the back frame 10.

. Since the top, bottom and side-sections of tne back frame 10 areidentical in cross-section, the recess 31 extends around the entire frame and is continuous. Insertable in the recess 31 is a sealing ring 45 having an outline similar to that of the frame, being in this case rectangular. The ring 45 is tubular and has a somewhat triangular or trapezoidal crosssectional shape (Fig. 3). The sealing ring 45 has a flat, rearward wal] 46 which seats against the rear or bottom wall 28 of the recess 31, an inner wall 47 engaging the flange 30, an outer wall 48 seated against the ledge 29 and a forward, sloping Wall 49 bridging the Space between the outer ends of the flange 30 and ledge 29. At the intersections of its inner, outer and forward walls, the `sealing ring has inclined or charnfered corners which conform to the inner sloping surfaces of the lips 32 and 33 against which they rest. The sealing ring 45, being resilient, is deformable transversely, as shown in Fig. 2.

The window sash member or front frame 11 is also rectangular in outline, having a bottom rail 50, a top rail 51 and stiles 52 and S3, these parts being joined in mitered corners. The parts are identical in cross-sectional shape; that is, of the same shape as the bottom rail S0 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The rail 50 is a metal Z section, having an inner, upstanding vertical` flange 55, an intermediate horizontal web 56 and an outer, downwardly extending flange 57.

A sealing strip 58 is disposed against the outward surface of the flange 55 and provides ya seat against which a pane of glass 60 is held. The edges of the glass 60 are held in channel-shaped portions 61 of sheet metal retainer elements 62. The retainer elements 62 have 4` resilient clip portions 63 sloping downwardly and `forwardly from the upper edge of the front flange of the channel portions 61. The forward edges of the clip portions 63 are adapted to snap into place behind a lug or bead 64 provided for this purpose at the forward end of the Ihorizontal portion 56 so as to retain the window pane 60 in upright position and firmly against the sealing strip 58.

The outer edges of the rails 50, 51 and the stiles 52, 53 are provided with rearwardly projecting fingers 66, the free edges of which are bluntly pointed or rounded lat 67, these fingers together providing an endless fin or tongue extendingaround the perimeter of the sash member or front frame 11.

As previously indicated, the front frame 11, together with its window pane 60, is movable relative to the fixed back frame 10 so as to open and close the window for ventilation purposes. While the front frame may be arranged to be completely detachable from the back frame, it is preferably hinged thereto, as indicated at in Fig. 1. Suitable means (not shown) are employed to lock the front frame in its inner or closed position.

Assuming thatI the window structure is installed within the window opening 5 of a building wall 6, as illustrated inthe drawing, the first sealing element 40 serves to effectively seal the back frame against the outer side of the building to prevent ingress of Wind, rain, etc. into the building.

With the window sash member 11 in the open position shown in Fig. 3, the tubular sealing ring 45 assumes its normal undistorted shape. To close the window, the front frame 11 is simply pivoted toward the back frame 10 with its flange and web portions 55 and 56 enter ing the frame 10tas shown in Fig. 2. As the window frame 11 approaches the closed position, the free edge 67 of its rearwardly projecting tongue 66 engages the forward wall 49 of the sealing ring 45 and as movement of the window to closed position is continued, the tongue 66 deforms the wall 49 rearwardly against the rearward wall 46. It is to be noted from Fig. 2 that penetration of the tongue 66 intotthe tubular sealing ring 45 causes the forward wall 49 thereof to embrace the edge of the tongue in a loop. Thus, instead of a point-to-point or line contact, the engagement of the tongue with the de llected portion of the wall 49 `provides a seal of increased area to positively seal the window against the entrance of air. rain, etc. into the building, house trailer or other structure in which the window is installed.

, It is to be observed byreference to Fig. 2 that when the sash member or front frame 11 isl in its fully closed position, `its front wall or flange 57 is flush or coplanar with the facing portion 36 of the back frame 10; By this provision, the present improved window structure avoids protecting edge portions against which wind, rain, snow, etc. may impinge to be deflected against the sealing means, thus enhancing the sealing effect. Furthermore, deterioration of the sealing ring of the present improved structure is thus minimized so that the window may be used over long periods of time without servicing or replacement.

The tubular sealing ring 45 may be readily removed at any time by simply prying it outwardly from the recess or groove 31 and the same ring, or replacement ring, may be quickly and easily mounted on the back frame 10 by simply snapping it past the lips 32, 33 and into the groove 31.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, we have described a structure embodying the best mode now contemplated for carrying out our invention, but we desire to have it understood that the structure shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A window structure, for installation in a window opening in a wall, comprising: a back :frame insertable in the window opening, said back frame having an inner perimetrical sill portion for fitting closely within the opening and having a perimetrical inner flange portion extending toward the center of said window from said sill portion and being adapted to hold and retain an insect screen in said window opening, and also having an outer perimetrical flange portion extending away from the Window opening and along the wall surrounding said opening for overlying the external side of the portion of the wall adjacent the opening, said outer flange portion having van outwardly displaced part spaced from said side of said wall; means sealing said outer perimetrical flange portion to said side of said wall, said outer flange portion having a continuous groove in its outer face and concentric to said opening between said opening and said outwardly displaced part of said outer flange portion; a resilient sealing ring disposed in said groove; and a front frame operatively connected to said back frame for movement -to a first position to close said back fra-me and to a second position to open the same, said front frame having a perimetrical tongue engageable with said sealing ring when said front frame is moved to said first position and yadapted to compress saiid sealing ring so that said tongue enters said groove.

2. A window structure, for installation in a window opening in a wall, comprising: a back frame insertable in the window opening, said back frame having an inner perimetrical sill portion for fitting :closely within the opening and having a perimetrical inner flange portion extending toward the center of said window from said sill portion and being adapted to hold and retain an insect screen in said window opening, and also having an outer perimetrical flange portion extending normal to the sill portion for overlying the external side of the portion of the wall adjacent the opening, said outer flange portion being sealed against said side of said Wall at a position spaced from said sill portion, said `outer flange portion having a continuous groove recessed into its outer face and surrounding said opening, said continuous groove being disposed between said sealing position of said outer flange and said sill portion of said back frame; a resilient sealing ring disposed in said groove; and a front frame operatively connected to said back frame for movement to a first position to close said back frame and to a second position to open the same, said front frame having a perimetrical flange extending beyond said sill portion and overlying at least a portion of said groove in said outer flange portion, said perimetrical flange of said front frame including a perimetrical tongue extending toward lsaid groove and engageable with said sealing ring when said front frame is moved to said rst position.

3. A Window structure for installation in a window opening in a wall comprising a back frame insertable in said window opening and having a sill member fitting closely within said opening, said back frame including a perimetrical flange extending away from the window opening and overlying said wall adjacent said opening, said sill member including a first portion disposed substantially normal to said wall and overhanging said perimetr-ical flange, said perimetrical flange including a second portion substantially parallel to and spaced from said rst portion and extending beyond said first portion with respect to said wall, whereby said perimetrical fiange and said first and second portions define a channel surrounding said opening and having a lesser dimension normal to said wall at locations adjacent said opening than at locations more remote from said opening, an elongated strip of resilient sealing material in said channel, a front frame hingedly mounted for movement on said back frame between open and closed positions, said front frame including a perimetrical flange overlying a portion of said channel and having a perimetrical tongue extending toward said channel for engaging said sealing material when said front frame is in closed position, the inner surface of Said front frame perimetrical flange being disposed adjacent the outermost terminus of said first portion when said front frame is in closed posit-ion, `and the outer surface of said front frame perimetrical liange being coplanar with the outermost terminus of said second portion when said front frame is in said closed position.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the mouth of said groove is restricted in cross dimension and includes a pair lof opposed lips extending over the outermost surface of said sealing ring to retain said sealing ring within said groove.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,268,554 Elliott June 4, 1918 1,639,148 Redrup Aug. 16, 1927 2,140,570 Young Dec. 20, 1938 2,236,315 Gray Mar. 25, 1941 2,269,506 Andersson Ian. 13, 1942 2,611,156 Toth Sept. 23, 1952 2,684,508 Meyers July 27, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 620,896 Great Britain Mar. 31, 1949 

